Get a quote
Liquid
Heating
Electrical Biasing
Battery Materials
Bio/Soft Materials
Catalysis
Corrosion/Dissolution
Electrochemistry
Low Dimensional Materials
Nanoparticles
Synthesis
Thin Films
JEOL
Hitachi
Rigaku
Thermo Fisher
Zeiss

Overview

How it Works

Features

Publications

FAQ

Witness material dynamics in a liquid environment at the nanoscale with stabile and precise environmental control

Enclosed Flow Cell Inside the TEM

The TEM Liquid Flow sample holder is the first in-situ liquid-phase TEM platform designed to image nanometer-scale liquid-phase reactions and transformations. Our patented precision-machined chip loading mechanism operates without screws, facilitating reproducible sample loading, self-aligning windows, and stable imaging without drift correction. This simplifies the hardware learning curve, workflows, and micrograph acquisition, guaranteeing reproducible sample preparation and in-situ TEM methodologies.
‍

Advantages:

  • Low-draft sample rod for stable imaging without drift correction
  • Fully user-replaceable liquid tubing for easy cleaning and solution swapping
  • Removable tip for easy cleaning and function upgrades
  • Compatible with TEM, SEM, and X-ray microscopy workflows using cross-platform microfabricated chips.
  • Quick delivery of a broad selection of chip options for uninterrupted experimentation
    ‍

Designed for Advanced Nanoscale Liquid-phase Dynamics Research

Investigate mechanisms underpinning the dynamics of particle self-assembly, biomineralization and dissolution, corrosion, nanoparticle-MOF structures, temperature-dependent reactions and thin film electrochemistry in liquid environments.

‍

Understand Mechanisms Behind Liquid-Phase Transformations

The transformations that occur at liquid-liquid and solid-liquid interfaces are often nanoscale and highly transient, but nanostructure design is highly dependent on the mechanisms that drive these transformations. The TEM Liquid Flow sample holder applies stimuli such as temperature, electrical bias, light exposure, and liquid mixing to uncover reaction pathways, structural transformations, and degradation mechanisms to develop and characterize the next generation of functional nanostructures.

‍

Technical Specs
1400 series
Number of inlets
1 or 2 depending on model, single outlet
Biasing Contacts
4 on-chip
Tubing Type
User-replaceable microfluidic tubing
Tubing Type Delivery System
Variable speed liquid delivery system
Tip Type
Removable tip
Flow Type
Continuous flow or static liquid
EELS/EDS Compatible
Yes
TEM Compatibility
TFS/FEI, JEOL, Hitachi, Zeiss
Instrument Type
TEM

Available For:

Built on Engineering Excellence

Hummingbird Scientific designs, machines, assembles, tests, and services its products in-house. Our integrated engineering, machining, microfabrication, and applications teams enable rapid product development, custom modifications, and direct technical support throughout the life of the instrument. This vertically integrated approach allows researchers to adapt experimental platforms to unique scientific requirements while maintaining the performance and reliability required for advanced in-situ microscopy experiments.

The TEM Liquid Flow sample holder is a direct result of these capabilities, enabling reproducible true bulk electrochemical measurements combined with in-situ nanoscale imaging.

Need something unique? Our engineers can customize existing products or develop entirely new solutions to support specialized experiments and emerging research challenges.

‍

Engineering CapabilitiesCustom Solutions

Built for Diverse Research Applications

Battery Materials

Directly visualize battery cycling, ion transport, dendrite formation, interface evolution, and structural changes.

Charge-Discharge Cycling
Ion Transport
Interface Formation
Dendrite Formation
Failure mechanisms

Bio/Soft Materials

Visualize biological and soft matter systems dynamics, including growth, interactions, and degradation.

Biomineralization
Self-Assembly Processes
Metal-Organic Framework Dynamics
Soft Matter Dynamics
Biomolecular Interactions

Catalysis

Directly observe the mechanisms that drive catalyst activity, selectivity, and degradation.

Heterogeneous Catalysis
Structure-Performance Relationship
Catalyst Structural Transformations
Catalyst Chemical Transformations
Catalyst Redox

Electrochemistry

Study electrodeposition, electrocatalysis, corrosion mechanisms, and electrochemical interface evolution.

Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV)
Chronoamperometry (CA)
Chronopotentiometry (CP)
Electrochemical Impedance (EIS)
Explore more applications of this product →

High Impact Publications

Trusted by researchers worldwide, the Hummingbird Scientific TEM Liquid Flow sample holder has contributed to 30+ peer-reviewed publications from leading universities, national laboratories, and research institutions worldwide in Nature, Science, ACS Nano, Advanced Functional Materials, and other leading journals.

Maria T. Proetto, Anthony M. Rush, Miao-Ping Chien, Patricia Abellan Baeza, Joseph P. Patterson, Matthew P. Thompson, Norman H. Olson, Curtis E. Moore, Arnold L. Rheingold, Christopher Andolina, Jill Millstone, Stephen B. Howell, Nigel D. Browning, James E. Evans, Nathan C. Gianneschi. “Dynamics of Soft Nanomaterials Captured by Transmission Electron Microscopy in Liquid Water”. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2014)

Abstract

Angela R. Rudolph, Katherine L. Jungjohann, David R. Wheeler, Susan M. Brozik. “Drying Effect Creates False Assemblies in DNA-Coated Gold Nanoparticles as Determined Through In Situ Liquid Cell STEM”. Microscopy and Microanalysis (2014)

Abstract

Robert L. Sacci, Nancy J. Dudney, Karren L. More, Lucas R. Parent, Ilke Arslan, Nigel D. Browning, Raymond R. Unocic. “Direct visualization of initial SEI morphology and growth kinetics during lithium deposition by in situ electrochemical transmission electron microscopy”. Chemical Communications (2014)

Abstract
Browse All Publications
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Key Features and Capabilities

Reproducible Screw-Free Liquid-Cell Assembly

Achieve reproducible liquid-cell assembly with self-aligning windows and a screw-free sealing design

Removable and swappable tip

Simplify cleaning with removable and upgradeable holder tips that allow access for tubing replacement

Flexible Liquid Cell Operation

Image samples in continuous-flow or static liquid environments using a sealed microfluidic chip assembly

Multimodal Imaging

Correlate electrochemical, heating, and imaging data across TEM, SEM, and X-ray microscopy platforms

Optimized for EELS and EDS

Perform correlative spectroscopy and microscopy for detailed in-situ elemental analysis

TEM Safety & Seal Verification

Protect your TEM during liquid-cell experiments and streamline setup with rapid high-vacuum seal checking and optical inspection

60+ In-Stock Liquid-Cell TEM Chip Configurations

Keep experiments moving with in-stock liquid-cell TEM chips designed for electrochemistry, liquid flow, heating, and multimodal microscopy workflows

Add-ons

Enhance your in-situ experiments with advanced add-on functionalities

Integrated Liquid Heating

Add temperature-controlled liquid-phase TEM capabilities with homogeneous heating, precise temperature regulation, and near-drift-free in-situ imaging

Dual-Flow Liquid Mixing

Accelerate discovery with dual-flow liquid mixing for in-situ liquid phase TEM, capturing dynamic liquid-liquid reactions with greater control and flexibility

How it Works

The TEM Liquid Flow sample holder integrates a sealed microfluidic cell, user replaceable microfluidic tubing, multi-functional microfabricated substrates, 4 electrical biasing leads, and peripheral control hardware and software into a multi-stimulus liquid-environmental characterization tool. A sample is loaded onto a SiN viewing membrane and sealed inside of the cell. Imaging in the TEM is performed while the solution is circulated through the cell via a microfluidic liquid delivery system. [DA4.1]Dual-inlet tips, biasing leads, and heating/electrochemistry chips enable mixing, thermal, and electrochemical reactions to be imaged in-situ at the nanoscale.

Software

To help you get the most from your liquid-cell holder, Hummingbird Control Software provides intuitive and precise control of closed loop liquid heating. Together, these software solutions enable faster setup, improved reproducibility, and more efficient liquid-phase TEM experiments.

‍

Hummingbird ConnectControl Software

Related Products

TEM Liquid Flow
Capture nanoscale processes under flowing or static liquid environments with optional biasing, heating, and mixing
SEM Liquid Flow
Capture nanoscale processes under flowing or static liquid environments with optional biasing, heating, and mixing
X-ray Liquid Flow
Capture nanoscale processes under flowing or static liquid environments with optional biasing, heating, and mixing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a liquid flow TEM sample holder?
How does in-situ TEM thin film electrochemistry compare with benchtop electrochemistry?
What does the software do in an in-situ electron microscopy experiment?
Can EDS and/or EELS be performed during in-situ experiments using the TEM Liquid Flow sample holder?
How is the flow controlled in the TEM Liquid Flow sample holder?
Does the TEM Liquid Flow holder support liquid heating?
Does the TEM Liquid Flow holder support dual-flow mixing?
See Product Information
Fill out the following configuration form to recieve a quote:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.